5-4. Colloquy

The May 4, 1919, demonstrations (or revolution, as it is referred to sometimes) opened a public discourse in China over the nation’s past and future direction.  It was partially precipitated by the betrayal China received from the Paris Peace Conference.  The Chinese nationalist and communist movements, so prevalent in the next decade, can probably trace their roots to the iconic May 4th event. 

The multi-national Washington (D.C.) Naval Conference in late 1921 and early 1922, tried to address the Chinese frustrations as well as the Pacific-Asia hegemony issues and balance.  Several key treaties and understandings came out of the conference.  Among those were the return of Shandong Province to China.  Also, the geo-political concept of internationalism became a central focus.  Naval armament quotas and limits in the region were another focus.